Tampa Child Support Attorney

Experienced, Dedicated & Knowledgeable

In Florida, child support is a right belonging to the child, and parents cannot contract it away, nor can the parent’s acquiescence to non-payment of fit. If you are going through a divorce or have a child outside of marriage and have concerns regarding child support, the Tampa child support lawyers of All Family Law Group can provide experienced legal help to advise you on the law. Our child support attorneys and legal assistants gather information regarding your income and other statutory factors to determine your child support obligation, if any. We work with both the mother and the father to resolve child support issues.

The Florida Child Support Guidelines

The Florida child support guidelines largely dictate the amount of the support obligation, if any. Specifically, the information provided by you and your spouse in your financial affidavits and other sources will determine your net income. The net income of both parties is inserted into the child support guidelines worksheet, and the calculations of child support are part of a formula including the number of minor children and the overnights each parent spends with the children per year. Also, included in the guidelines is the cost of the health and dental insurance premium paid on behalf of the child, as well as childcare expenses. Your income and the amount of time sharing you have with your child influences whether you will pay child support to the other parent. Beginning January 1, 2011, the statutory child support obligation is reduced if a parent has 20% or more timesharing of the child. Prior to this revision, a substantial amount of time for child support determination purposes was 40% of the time. This applies to new cases filed after January 1st and cases which are subject to modification.

Are you facing a possible child support obligation or are you in need of child support? It is in your best interest to obtain experienced legal help to assist you in resolving your child support issues. Call 813-672-1900 or e-mail the Tampa child support attorneys at the law firm of All Family Law Group to start your free initial consultation.

Florida Child Support Basics

Child support in Florida is governed by Florida Statute §61.13. In general, child support is a dual obligation imposed on both parents by the state. Typically, the parent with the most time-sharing is the parent who receives monetary support while the parent with a minority of the time-sharing pays the support. However, if one parent has a substantially higher income or time-sharing is relatively equal, the child support will be adjusted to reflect this. Furthermore, if neither parent has custody of the child, both parents may be required to pay support to a third-party caring for the child.

Child support in Florida will terminate upon the child reaching 18, or 19 if the child has not yet graduated high school, if the child becomes emancipated, or if the child dies. There is no obligation to support a child after the reach the age of majority; however, the termination of an ongoing obligation does not terminate obligations to pay arrearages or retroactive support. It therefore stands to follow that there is no obligation to pay for college tuition or college expenses for a child who has reached the age of majority. In some instances, child support can extend past the age of majority if the child has a physical or mental disability. This incapacity must exist prior to the child turning 18 and is determined by fact-finding.

While child support is typically paid to the parent, the right to receive child support is actually the right of the child. Florida has a strong public policy to require parents to financially support their children. It is a common misconception that child support can be waived. Since child support is the right of the child, a parent cannot waive or acquiesce to nonpayment.

Child Support usually includes a basic monthly obligation, health care coverage and child care costs. The amount of the basic monthly obligation is determined based on the combined net monthly incomes of both parents and the number of children involved.The Florida child support guidelines worksheet uses this figure to assign a minimum monthly support amount. The amount of support for each parent is determined based on their percentage of the combined income. Each order of support must also contain a provision for healthcare coverage if said coverage is reasonably available. The court will apportion the cost of the coverage including any non-covered medical, dental and prescription expenses on a percentage basis.

Modification and Enforcement of Child Support

In addition to resolving your initial child support goals, we may be able to modify or enforce post-judgment child support issues. If a final judgment was not obtained in Hillsborough County, then it may be possible to file it and domesticate it in Hillsborough County. To modify a child support order, there must be a showing that there has been a substantial change in circumstances in either parent’s income since the original order was granted. A substantial change occurs when either parent’s income has decreased or increased, so that the difference between the existing monthly obligation and the new obligation amount, pursuant to the Florida Guidelines, has changed by at least 15%, or $50.00, whichever is the greater of the two. Furthermore, if the parent who is obligated to pay child support does not do so, or is behind in his or her child support payments, then a motion can be filed for contempt.

Contact the Tampa Child Support Lawyers of All Family Law Group

If you have questions regarding child support contact the law firm of All Family Law Group, P.A. for a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. Contact our Tampa child support attorneys by email or call 813-672-1900. We will get back with you at our earliest opportunity!

Divorces are never fun but Ginger, in fact the entire firm, were wonderful. Whatever the OC threw at us ( and it was a lot), Ginger handled it skillfully. When they hurdled accusations of parental misconduct, Vanessa quickly had it under control. The depth of experience at All Family Law was amazing. Additionally, Cindy and the support staff worked with me on several issues. I cannot say enough how thankful I am.I have sent friends who needed legal work to Ginger and they were pleased with the results. I think you will be happy to have these folks on your side.read more

Beatriz

21:32 24 Jan 19

I recommend Lynette because to her knowledge and expertise of the law related to my case. She was always extremely courteous and professional, always kept me informed at each step of my case, she was always very understanding and responded in a timely manner whenever I needed additional help or had further questionsread more

Trisha Mangal

21:49 20 Jan 19

Wonderful experience with Ginger Dugan and the staff at All Family Law Group. Ginger and Cindy are both very knowledgeable, accessible, and gets work done in a timely manner. She and her staff patiently answered all of the questions I had during a highly stressful time, and made me feel well taken care of from the beginning of the process to the end. So thankful for the hard work and diligent effort of All Family Law Group. Highly recommended.read more

Kim Wiley

14:59 19 Jan 19

Ginger and Team were awesome! They were professional and very quick to respond to all my questions and concerns. They took an uncomfortable situation and made it bearable.read more

Dunbar dunbar

18:25 18 Jan 19

I was scared, stressed, and had no clue on how to proceed with my divorce. Ginger, Cindy, Maria and the rest of the staff informed me on what to expect and walked me through the whole process reducing my stress and giving me confidence in the system and their law firm. Whenever I had questions they were quick to respond and communication was excellent. The staff was very polite and respectful. Thank you!read more

William Glover

19:24 17 Jan 19

The firm was very helpful during such a tough time in my life. I was very happy with the communication and prompt attention that was given to my case. There were issues with my case and those issues were communicated properly and handled with great passion.read more

Roneshia Sykes

01:32 28 Nov 18

The entire staff was very friendly, I was always updated about my case through the entire process. I was very impressed and my experience was great at a difficult time in my life. Thank you Laticia Gread more

Chris Abrahamson

21:13 31 Oct 18

A difficult time made less stressful. Ginger and her office were up front and efficient. Always available and responded immediately. They take the time to listen and do what is best for their client.read more

Julie Dougherty

11:40 14 Sep 18

Ginger Dugan was great. Very helpful and understanding through a difficult divorce process.

Jacob Lurvey

19:59 06 Sep 18

All Family Law Group team are nothing short of amazing. I used Ginger for a child support modification, and I wish, I would have used her for my entire divorce. She and her team are very prompt, knowledgeable and able to explain things in terms that a none legal guru like myself could understand. I will continue to use All Family Law Group and Ginger for all of my future family law needs. I could not be happier with the service she provied, and the out come of my case. Thank you Ginger and Thank you All Family Law Group.read more

Joanna Anderson

18:05 10 Aug 18

It was a very stressful divorce even more complicated by the fact that I live overseas and could not travel to the US. I approached a few attorneys who all refused to take my case because I live in Europe. All Family Law agreed to represent me, and Ginger was very knowledgeable and reassuring throughout the whole process. I was always treated with great courtesy and I felt really supported and well informed. Thank you!read more

Mentor Mala

00:18 05 Jun 18

Ginger made the whole experience pleasant, informal, professional, understanding, and displayed an uncanny drive to ensure our needs are met.read more

Louie Stevenson

14:41 29 May 18

This law firm helped me through a very difficult divorce. The staff is extremely caring, knowledgeable, honest, and professional, and I highly recommend them! They are the best law firm around!read more

Kara Prifti

23:17 14 May 18

Everyone at All Family Law was helpful and courteous! Ginger was an excellent attorney and was quick on her feet and kept me well informed. They have the client's best interest at heart and will work with you to get your situation resolved as quickly as possible!read more

Scottie Gursky

22:50 02 May 18

It was a very good experience! I felt that my needs were taken care of, I felt very comfortable with Monica - she was very supportive and listened to me at all times.read more

Joe Anastasio

15:05 26 Jan 18

Divorce is difficult to go through; however when you deal with an experienced team such as All Family Law the process is easier and the results more positive and fair. They were flexible and attended all scheduled meetings allowing for quicker results. Based on their negotiation skills I was able to avoid litigation, in turn, resulting lower legal costs. Thanks to Ginger and the team!!!read more

Lisa Bryant

23:53 28 Nov 17

Monica,Ginger,Cindy and the rest of the staff in the Riverview office were very helpful and courteous..Very knowledgeable and compassionate.I would definitely recommend this firm.read more

Chris Sladek

17:14 28 Jun 17

The firm worked with me so well from beginning to end on my divorce. Ginger Dugan was there for me during my mediation and I couldn't have asked for a more knowledgeable and wonderful person to assist me in this hard times in my life. She was great and I will always be grateful to her and the firm.read more

Daniel Wakefield

12:43 21 Jun 17

The staff is friendly and responds quickly. Ginger is knowledgeable and compassionate. She responds quickly and understood all the issues of my case. I would recommend this team to anyone who needs a family lawyer.read more

Dave B

18:26 09 Mar 17

Ginger helped to efficiently navigate my divorce, and with her confidence and knowledge level turned an otherwise very anxious period of time into something significantly more calm. This has allowed me to focus my full efforts on ensuring the smoothest transition possible for my kids, and also to proceed through everything peacefully. Ginger is genuine, fair, and has been very responsive to the specific needs of my case since day one. I very highly recommend her. Thank you!read more

Site Navigation

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from All Family Law Group, P.A.